L'Arche communities are dedicated to creating and developing homes, programmes and support networks for people who have intellectual disabilities.

The official letter accompanying the award says Vanier's "testimony as well as that of the L'Arche Communities, throughout the world and throughout diverse religions and cultures, shows that the values of diversity, solidarity and human dignity are truly a path of communion and peace.

"L'Arche has shown the world how human weakness and handicap can carry a new meaning for what it is to be human.

"We are grateful to you for having accepted to receive this award that strengthens the link between our two communities, and makes of you, Jean, an honorary member of Adyan."

Vanier says the relationship between L'Arche and Adyan means a lot to him, and the award has left a great impact in his heart.

He says he and all L'Arche groups have a great desire to open up to the other, "so we help them and they help us to discover that each one of us is a very beautiful human being."

The Award, now in its 11th year, aims to encourage and honour people devoted to developing and promoting solidarity and unity among citizens of different faiths, especially in the contexts of tension and violence.

Source

• The Tablet
• Adyan
• Image: www.jeanvanier.org

The prize was established to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to interreligious cooperation.

The Japan-based Niwano Peace Prize Committee says the Foundation has been "a visible and committed actor for peace in Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East region."

It noted Adyan focuses on both high-level and grassroots engagement.

The Committee says Adyan demonstrates "the inclusive and interfaith values/principles the Niwano Award seeks to recognize."

The Adyan (Arabic for "religions") Foundation was established in 2006.

Since then it has worked to take interreligious dialogue.

This includes "apologetic debates and populist complacency, to a common commitment in what we call ‘religious social responsibility,'" Maronite Father Fadi Daou says.

Daou, who is the president of Adyan Foundation, is one of its five founding members.

Each founder follows a different denomination of Christianity and Islam.

Daou says the prize has moved Lebanon "a firm step further toward its recognition as a world center for dialogue between cultures and religions.

"Peace has a specific name in Lebanon, and that is ‘living-together,'" he added.

An award presentation ceremony will take place in Tokyo on 9 May.

The Adyan Foundation will be given an award certificate, a medal and a cash prize of 20 million yen.

Source

• Crux Now
• Cision
• Image: Asia News